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Being Quotes

On identity, openness and staying true to yourself.

This set of quotes explores what it means to simply be: holding onto a child's spontaneity, embracing honesty that feels inappropriate in creative work, or aging with flexibility instead of resistance. For more on self-belief, see our Able quotes.

The idea that is not dangerous is not worthy of being called an idea at all.

Elbert Hubbard

Initiative is doing the right things without being told.

Elbert Hubbard

You don't have to teach people how to be human. You have to teach them how to stop being inhuman.

Quotes by Eldridge Cleaver

That line, about half of somebody's supporters being deplorables, was maybe the worst line I've ever heard in politics. You never - even when you're running against a bunch of racists, you never take off against the voters. It was...

Quotes by Eleanor Holmes Norton

I started out pursuing an acting career out of college when I lived in Los Angeles. When I got an entry into broadcasting, I preferred it. I liked being me, rather than dressing up to be someone else. Now I'm...

Quotes by Eleanor Mondale

I like being involved in the lighter side of journalism because it serves a purpose, and it's fun. And I can keep my opinions off camera if I want.

Quotes by Eleanor Mondale

A human being is a single being. Unique and unrepeatable.

Quotes by Eileen Caddy

Grace Kelly was a very commercial model; she had no interest in being a fashion model. None at all.

Quotes by Eileen Ford

I don't usually feel threatened by the militias. Most members are just indulging their fantasies of being warriors without having to sign up for the Army. They want to be heroes and save their neighbors from disaster.

Quotes by Eileen Pollack

All the societal pressures that make girls feel as if they're too smart, especially in the sciences - 'No one will date them. They won't be popular.' - don't apply to boys. The boys are being encouraged.

Quotes by Eileen Pollack

I'm very interested in soldier recovery projects and in Bradley Manning's story, the army intelligence officer who's being held as a detainee and is going to trial for crimes of treason.

Quotes by Eion Bailey

When my father passed away, my mom didn't really know what to do and how to deal with it for me, so she put me in extracurricular classes, one of them being theater.

Quotes by Eiza Gonzalez

I remember being, like, 4 and 5 and playing in my mom's closet. But also asking questions like 'Who's this?' and 'What's that?,' and my mom explaining to me, 'This is a Chanel and this is a Versace.'

Quotes by EJ Johnson

It's pretty cool being 40 and having your blow-up moment.

Quotes by El-P

Progress is being made, but a lot of women are realizing it is not what they envisioned.

Quotes by Elaine Chao

We have a lot of employers who are looking for skilled workers and not being able to find them. And we have workers who lack the requisite skills to access these good-paying jobs in high growth industries.

Quotes by Elaine Chao

The majority of the new jobs being created require higher skills, more education.

Quotes by Elaine Chao

I like being a woman, but I'm a little rough around the edges. I've been bungee jumping twice, but I was scared.

Quotes by Edy Ganem

I sometimes feel tired. But there are so many reasons for being tired.

Quotes by Ehud Olmert

I don't expect to be coddled, but I'm also a human being.

Quotes by Ehud Olmert

Frequently Asked Questions

What perspectives on "being" show up in these quotes?
The quotes touch on being from a particular place ("Being from Louisiana and a big outdoorsman"), being childlike as a performer, being inappropriate as part of the craft of acting, and being flexible and open as part of aging well.
Is there a quote here about acting and creativity?
Yes, two: "As an actor, you always want to reach back to being a child and having the spontaneity and the imagination of a child," and "There's so much we can't express in our day-to-day interaction with people because it's considered inappropriate. And acting is all about being inappropriate." For more on consistent character traits, see Always.
What does this page say about aging?
"Aging gracefully means being flexible, being open, allowing change, enjoying change and loving yourself" offers a positive take on getting older, tied closely to the idea of "being" open to change.
Is there anything here about personal identity or background?
Yes: "Love the show 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.' Being from Louisiana and a big outdoorsman, I'm a big fan of 'Duck Dynasty' as well" ties personal identity to place and interests. For more quotes centered on personal likes, browse Like.
How does this page relate to the Able quotes page?
"Being" here is about states and qualities of a person - childlike, open, flexible - while Able focuses more on capability and what someone can do. Also check Good for more positive, character-focused quotes.

You may also like our Good quotes on positive character traits and Always quotes on consistency and steadfastness.